More students than ever before are taking a gap year(间隔年) before going to university. It used to be the “year off” between school and university. The gap-year phenomenon originated(起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.
This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS).
That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible,” he said.
But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship – young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to￡15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacating periods,” he said.
1.What do we learn about the gap year from the text?
A. It is flexible in length.
B. It is a time for relaxation
C. It is increasingly popular
D. It is required by universities
2.According to Tony Higgins. students taking a gap year ____.
A. are better prepared for college studies
B. know a lot more about their future job
C. are more likely to leave university in debt
D. have a better chance to enter top universities
3.How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon?
A. He’s puzzled
B. He’s worried
C. He’s surprised
D. He’s annoyed
4.What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?
A. Attend additional courses.
B. Make plans for the new term
C. Earn money for their education
D. Prepare for their graduate studies
Your house may have an effect on your figure. experts say the way you design your home could play a role in whether you pack on the pounds or keep them off. you can make your environment work for you instead of against you. Here are some ways to turn your home into part of your diet plan.
Open the curtains and turn up the lights. dark environments are more likely to encourage overeating, for people are often less self-conscious(难为情) when they’re in poorly lit places – and so more likely to eat lots of food. If your home doesn’t have enough window light, get more lamps and flood the place with brightness.
Mind the colors. Research suggests warm colors fuel our appetites. In one study, people who ate meals in a blue room consumed 33 percent less than those in a yellow or red room. Warm colors like yellow make food appear more appetizing, while cold colors make us less hungry. So when it’s time to repaint, go blue.
Don’t forget the clock – or the radio. People who eat slowly tend to consume about 70 fewer calories(卡路里) per meal than those who rush through their meals. Begin keeping track of the time, and try to make dinner last at 30 minutes. And while you’re at it, actually sit down to eat. If you need some help slowing down, turning on relaxing music. It makes you less likely to rush through a meal.
Downsize the dishes. Big serving bowls and plants can easily makes us fat. We eat about 22 percent more when using a 12-inch plate instead of a 10-inch plate. When we choose a large spoon over a smaller one, total intake(摄入) jumps by 14 percent. And we’ll pour about 30 percent more liquid into a short, wide glass than a tall, skinny glass.
1.The text is especially helpful for those who care about ____.
A. their home comforts
B. their body shape
C. house buying
D. healthy diets
2.A home environment in blue can help people ____.
A. digest food better
B. reduce food intake
C. burn more calories
D. regain their appetites
3. What are people advised to do at mealtimes?
A. Eat quickly.
B. Play fast music
C. Use smaller spoons
D. Turn down the lights
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Is Your House Making You Fat?
B. Ways of Serving Dinner
C. Effects of Self-Consciousness
D. Is Your Home Environment Relaxing?
My color television has given me nothing but a headache. I was able to buy it a little over a year ago because I had my relatives give me money for my birthday instead of clothes that wouldn’t fit. I let a salesclerk fool me into buying a discontinued model. I realized this a day later, when I saw newspaper advertisements for the set at seventy-five dollars less than I had paid. The set worked so beautiful when I first got it home that I would keep it on until stations signed off for the night. Fortunately, I didn’t get any channels showing all-night movies or I would never have gotten to bed.
Then I started developing a problem with the set that involved static(静电) noise. For some reason, when certain shows switched into a commercial, a loud noise would sound for a few seconds. Gradually, this noise began to appear during a show, and to get rid of it, I had to change to another channel and then change it back. Sometimes this technique would not work, and I had to pick up the set and shake it to remove the sound. I actually began to build up my arm muscles(肌肉) shaking my set.
When neither of these methods removed the static noise, I would sit helplessly and wait for the noise to go away. At last I ended up hitting the set with my first, and it stopped working altogether. My trip to the repair shop cost me $62, and the sit is working well now, but I keep expecting more trouble.
1. Why did the author say he was fooled into buying the TV set?
A. He got an older model than he had expected.
B. He couldn’t return it when it was broken.
C. He could have bought it at a lower price.
D. He failed to find any movie shows on it.
2.Which of the following an best replace the phrase “signed off” in paragraph 1?
A. ended all their programs
B. provided fewer channels
C. changed to commercials
D. showed all-night movies
3.How did the author finally get this TV set working again?
A. By shaking and hitting it
B. By turning it on and off
C. By switching channels
D. By having it repaired
4.How does the author sound when telling the story?
A. Curious
B. Anxious
C. Cautious
D. Humorous
请阅读下面图画，按要求用英语写一篇词数为120左右的短文。
内容包括：
1. 描述画面；
2. 概述其含义；
3. 谈谈个人感想。
凿壁偷光
注意：
1. 短文开头已给出,不计入总词数；
2. 可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯；
3. 短文中不能出现与本人相关的信息；
参考词汇：凿，钻：bore
In the picture,
Sometimes we have disagreements with people. When this1. h , the important thing is to try not to let a calm discussion turn into a heated argument. Here 2. my tips for you.
The 3. f thing I would say is that the way you begin the conversation is very important.
Imagine you are a student and you share a flat 4. another student who you think isn't doing her share of the housework. If you say, "Look, you never do your share of the housework. 5. are you going to do about it?", the discussion will very soon turn into an argument. It's much more6.______ (有帮助)to say something like, "I think we had 7.b _____ have another look about how we divide up the housework. Maybe there is a better way of dealing with it. "
My second piece of8. a is simple. If you're the person who is in the wrong, just admit it! This is the easiest and best way to avoid an argument. Just make an 9. (道歉)， and move on. The other person will have more respect for you 10. the future if you do that.
Group exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve physical fitness and sustain a healthy lifestyle.Group exercise is challenging, yet fun and empowering! Of course everyone knows that exercise is good for the body.However, studies have shown that when exercise is performed in groups, it's not only great for improving physical health but for psychological health. It's an opportunity to be social, release endorphins , and improve your strength. Additionally, group exercise creates a community feel and the shared common goal motivates participants to work hard. The instrumental support of taking on a fitness journey with others proves more effective than going to the gym alone.
Another beneficial aspect of group exercise is the informational support participants receive from the instructor.Many people fear the gym because they feel lost and don't want to embarrass themselves. If you feel you can relate, then group training is an even better option for you. It's a great opportunity to learn more about fitness through the clear instruction and supervision of a fitness instructor. If you're tired of wandering around the gym wasting time and becoming bored, !you can attend an upbeat group fitness class that'll keep your workout on track. Don't let
fitness frighten you!
If you're serious about wanting to live a healthy lifestyle, it's extremely important to surround yourself with people who'll provide you with the proper emotional support. I wouldn't scold anyone for deciding to party on weekends and in turn I wouldn't expect anyone to give offence to me for focusing on my health. Surround yourself with people who uplift, encourage and understand you! Make fitness even more fun by trying something new or any group fitness class, with a friend. Plan to go for a jog together. Then try a fun healthy restaurant or fresh juice bar! Fitness can be both fun and social!
Surrounding yourself with people who'll provide you with respect support can be very beneficial while working towards reaching health and fitness goals. First, decide to do it for yourself and work towards staying positive. Then make sure the people you surround yourself with are supportive. Don't let negativity ruin your motivation.
1.The first paragraph focuses on .
A. the greatest challenge of group exercise
B. the most effective way to improve physical fitness
C. the contribution of group exercise to psychological health
D. the shared common goal in performing exercise in groups
2.The underlined word "upbeat" in the second paragraph probably means "
A. cheerful B. average C. serious D. temporal
3. When it comes to emotional support, the author thinks it necessary
A. to sustain a colorful lifestyle
B. to party on weekends with positive people
C. to try a fun healthy restaurant regularly
D. to surround yourself with supportive people
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Seeking Support B. Supporting Health
C. Improving Your Strength D. Building Up Fitness
